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Sofia – a brief overview

Sofia is both a young-at-heart, steadily evolving city, and one of Europe’s oldest metropolises, with a history stretching back 7,000 years. A quarter of a century on from the fall of Communism, Bulgaria’s capital brings together an architectural mix of ancient Orthodox churches and modern tower blocks, with a healthy added dose of ex-Soviet bombast thrown in.

While it cannot boast the stunning splendour of Budapest or Prague, Sofia’s wide cobblestone avenues plied by rattling trolley buses and trams bring the city a charm all of its own. And how many other major cities can claim a popular ski resort as a suburb?

Top 10 sights in Sofia

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Completed in the early 20th century as a memorial to Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation, this huge neo-Byzantine building dominates the city centre and is one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Deacon Ignatius' 5 1000 Sofia Bulgaria Show on map

Opening times: Various

This neoclassical theatre is one of the finest buildings in the city, and enjoys an impressive setting opposite the City Gardens. It opened in 1907 and was designed by Viennese architects.

Mount Vitosha

Vitosha mountain rises to 2,300m, yet is only 6km from the city centre. Visible from most of Sofia, it is popular with hikers in summer, and transforms into a ski resort in winter. A cable car will take you up to 1,800m.

Boyana Church

This fascinating Orthodox church, in a southern suburb on the slopes of Mount Vitosha, was originally constructed in the 10th century. It contains 89 fabulous frescoes, most of them painted by one man in 1259.

National Institute of Archaeology & Museum

This fascinating museum covers the story of all the tribes and peoples who have occupied what is now Bulgaria from the ancient past until the emergence of the present-day nation.

St Sofia Church

Ulitsa Paris 2 Sofia Bulgaria Show on map

Opening times: Daily 0700-1900 (Apr-Oct) 0700-1800 (Nov-Mar)

Byzantine St Sofia was built in the sixth century on the site of a Roman theatre and several earlier churches. The second oldest existing place of worship in the city also served time as a mosque during the time of the Ottoman Empire.

Ethnographic Institute with Museum

1, Prince Alexander I Sqr 1000 Sofia Bulgaria Show on map

Opening times: Tue-Sun 1000-1730

Located in a former royal palace, this museum celebrates Bulgaria’s cultural heritage.

Country information

Country overview

the past few years – a dramatic change to how the country was a mere 10 years ago.

Geography

Bulgaria is situated in Eastern Europe and bordered to the north by the River Danube and Romania, to the east by the Black Sea, to the south by Turkey and Greece and to the west by Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests and crossed by rivers.

Although Bulgaria lies in the very southeast corner of Europe, the climate is never extreme in summer, even on the red-earthed plains of Southern Thrace. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe and offer sunbathing from May until October, while in winter heavy falls of snow are virtually guaranteed in the mountain ski resorts.

General knowledge

Key facts

Population: 6981642

Population Density (per sq km): 63

Capital: Sofia.

Language

Bulgarian is the official language and the Cyrillic alphabet is used – Bulgaria is the only EU nation to use it. Turkish and Macedonian are amongst the minority languages. English, German, French and Russian are spoken in major tourist resorts and hotels.

Flight and accommodation

Calendar of events

Orthodox Easter

27 March 2016

Venue: Orthodox churches throughout Bulgaria

The predominant religion in Bulgaria is the version of Catholicism that has survived since earliest times in Eastern Europe â the Orthodox Church. Usually celebrated on a different date to Easter celebrations in the west, the Orthodox Easter is also celebrated with different customs and traditions. After midnight Mass on Easter Sunday, worshippers celebrate outside the churches, carrying candles to symbolise the Resurrection and cracking or smashing eggs which have previously been painted with symbolic patterns and colours. The richly-painted Orthodox Churches are filled with clouds of incense and the singing of choirs at this time, and many rituals are observed, such as kissing the images of saints and processions led by clergy in full regalia.

St George's Day

6 May 2016

Venue: Throughout Sofia

Orthodox festival and official holiday celebrating the martyred St George, also an agricultural celebration heralding the end of spring and beginning of summer.

Bulgarian Culture and Slavonic Script Day

24 May 2016

Venue: Sofia National Library

National holiday honouring Saints Cyril and Methodius for devising the Bulgarian Cyrillic alphabet, with parades and official ceremony by their statue in front of the National Library.

St Trifon's Day

14 February 2017

Venue: Villages outside Sofia

A vine-growing and wine-making festival, where the men set out to prune the vines while the women bake festive loaves and roast chicken. At the end of the day, everyone gathers among the vines to eat, drink, sing and dance.

7 days forecast

Climate & best time to visit Bulgaria

The climate in Bulgaria varies according to altitude. Summers are warmest with some rainfall, with the south feeling the influence of the Mediterranean. The best months to visit are mid-June to September when the days are long and sunny. Winters are cold with good snowfall in the mountains. January is the best month for skiing in Bulgaria. It rains frequently during spring and autumn.

Flight and accommodation

Phone calls & Internet

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Telephone

Calls from some remote parts of the country must be placed through the international operator. There are many public telephones in the main towns, from which telephone cards are used.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is patchy to good in most of the country. It is easy to purchase domestic SIM cards.

Internet

There are fewer internet centres in Sofia and Plovdiv than there used to be owing to high rent, but there are a few internet gaming rooms. Varna has several places in the town centre, and the beach resorts have some facilities. Most major hotels have internet connection, and some have Wi-Fi access.

Flight and accommodation

Shopping in Sofia

Key Areas

Sofia’s main shopping drag is pedestrianised Vitosha Boulevard. The most famous department store is TZUM (blvd. Knyaginya Мaria Luiza 2), first opened in 1956 and a classic example of Soviet architecture. Ulitsa Shishman is a small street filled with trendy clothes outlets, jewellery shops, and other boutiques.

Markets

Sofia’s neo-Renaissance covered Market Hall (blvd. Maria Louise 24), open Mon-Fri, first opened in 1911 and remains the

place to come for food and everyday items. On the ground floor are food stalls; above these are stalls selling clothing and accessories.

Shopping Centres

Opened in 2006, City Center Sofia (blvd. Arsenalski 2) was the city’s first modern shopping mall, with more than 100 stores and restaurants, and a cinema multiplex. Seven other malls have opened since, each one bigger than the last. Serdika Center (blvd. Sitnyakovo 48) is the largest central option, housing over 200 outlets.

Flight and accommodation

Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

Normal courtesies should be observed and handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Dress should be conservative but casual. If invited to the home, a small souvenir from one’s homeland is an acceptable gift, and something for their children is always welcome.

Do not give money. Remember that a nod of the head means ‘No’ and a shake means ‘Yes’.

Smoking

Bulgarian restaurants, cafés and nightclubs have zones for smokers and non-smokers. There is no smoking in public places.

Flight and accommodation

Health

Food & Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, can cause mild abdominal upsets if in remote areas. Some travellers may prefer to drink bottled water for the first few weeks of their stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. All food is prepared with a good level of hygiene.

Flight and accommodation

Visa & Immigration

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.